Rising temperatures in coastal regions are intensifying extreme weather events and threatening global infrastructure. CDRI Director General Amit Prothi highlights urgent climate risks, the need for resilient infrastructure, and the organisation’s efforts to support vulnerable coastal and island nations ahead of the UN Ocean Summit and COP30.
As the world grapples with the multifaceted impacts of climate change, the role of infrastructure resilience has never been more critical—particularly in coastal regions where vulnerability is sharply rising. In an exclusive interview with IANS ahead of the third UN Ocean Summit (June 9–13) in Nice, France, Director General of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Amit Prothi, warned that rising temperatures in coastal areas are significantly increasing the intensity and frequency of precipitation events, including hurricanes, cyclones, and flooding.
Nearly 37% of the global population lives within 100 kilometers of coastlines, areas where population density is double the global average. These coastal zones contribute an estimated $1.5 trillion annually to global GDP—a figure expected to nearly double by 2030. Moreover, close to 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, making coastal infrastructure vital not only for local communities but also for the global economy.
“Coastal flooding, storm surges, and erosion are growing threats due to sea-level rise and extreme storms driven by climate change,” said Prothi. He emphasized that while infrastructure in general is under pressure globally, the risk is substantially higher for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), many of which are ill-equipped to cope with increasing climate-induced hazards.
Established in 2019 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Action Summit, the CDRI is a global partnership aimed at promoting disaster-resilient infrastructure. India serves as the Permanent Co-Chair of CDRI, while France currently holds the Rotational Co-Chair (April 2024 to March 2026).
Prothi noted that most new infrastructure investment over the next three decades will occur in low- and middle-income countries. “It is imperative these investments are resilient, to protect communities and enable sustainable economic growth,” he said. The CDRI’s flagship Global Infrastructure Resilience (GIR) report underscores the urgency of this need.
Particularly vulnerable are the SIDS, where extreme weather can swiftly overwhelm infrastructure, disrupt electricity and water supply, and impact livelihoods and public health. “To support these nations, CDRI’s IRIS initiative—backed by India, Australia, the UK, and the EU—provides technical assistance, capacity building, and access to knowledge resources,” Prothi said.
Currently, CDRI is financing 24 projects across 25 SIDS with a total investment of $13.8 million. These projects span a wide range of needs: strengthening homes in Dominica for over 72,000 people, building an early warning system in Fiji for 900,000 residents, improving health infrastructure in Haiti, enhancing school facilities in Comoros, and developing irrigation systems in Guyana to benefit over 700,000 people.
At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, the CDRI announced an additional $8 million in funding for projects in SIDS focusing on early warning systems, coastal infrastructure, and water management.
Looking forward to COP30 in Brazil, Prothi highlighted that CDRI will showcase the “resilience dividend” in its second Global Infrastructure Resilience report. This concept underscores the long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits of investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure—benefits that often outweigh the upfront costs.
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Furthermore, CDRI will present targeted programmes for Africa and SIDS at COP30, aligning with the vision of a Global Mutirão, a Portuguese term for collective action. Brazil’s COP30 Presidency has initiated discussions on a global framework to translate climate commitments into concrete actions.
Innovative financial tools are another area of focus for the CDRI. According to Prothi, catastrophe bonds, parametric insurance, and multi-country financial instruments are essential to bridge the financing gap in vulnerable regions. “Strengthening institutions, mainstreaming resilience into planning, and leveraging both public and private finance will be critical,” he said.
Ultimately, the CDRI’s work highlights the interconnectedness of climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development. As the world turns its eyes toward COP30, the call for integrating resilience into infrastructure is not just timely—it is essential for a safer, more sustainable future.
